Map

Ritz East

125 S. Second Street

The opening reception for the 2016 International Great Hunger Memorial will be held here on Thursday, October 6, at 6 PM. Afterwards there will be a showing of the documentary, Ireland’s Great Hunger and the Irish Diaspora, narrated by Gabriel Byrne. Another showing will be held for local students and educators at 2 PM.

The Irish Memorial

Front and Chestnut Streets

The Irish Memorial to “An Gorta Mor,” Irish for “the great hunger, was designed by celebrated bronze artist Glenna Goodacre, who is responsible for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC.

Old St. Mary’s Church

252 S 4th St, Philadelphia

The second oldest Roman Catholic institution in Philadelphia, built in 1763, is the final resting place of several Irish notables, including John Barry, father of the American Navy; Matthew Carey, who was one of the most important publishers in early America; and Thomas Fitzsimons, a signer of the Constitution and a member of the Continental Congress. On July 4, 1779, the first public religious commemoration of the Declaration of Independence was held at St. Mary’s. Though not parishioners, George Washington and John Adams both worshipped there.

City Tavern

The Plough & the Stars

Paddy’s Old City Pub

228 Race Street
No frills neighborhood pub, smoky, pub grub

The Independence Seaport Museum

At the edge of the Delaware, this museum tells Philadelphia’s maritime history. You can board the Olympia, berthed outside, the oldest floating steel warship most famous for being Admiral Perry’s flagship during the Spanish-American War. You can also tour the Becuna, a submarine.

Washington Square, between Washington and Sixth

Washington Square is one of the city’s five public squares laid out by William Penn in his original plan for the city. Located in the historic district, it has been a park for more than 200 years, so it’s likely that you will be strolling in the footsteps of some of the Founding Fathers. This 6.4 acre former potter’s field and pasture houses the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier.

Christ Church

2nd and Market Streets

In 1776, the eight bells in Christ Church steeple, rang out to announce and celebrate the Declaration of Independence and, unlike the Liberty Bell, those bells still ring today. Historian David McCullough once said that no other church “has played a more significant role in our nation’s birth.” Founded in 1695, the church’s current building was erected in 1744. Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross were parishioners (she was married to the son of the assistant rector); George Washington and John Adams attended services. Fifteen signers of the Declaration of Independence were also part of the congregation.

Elfreth’s Alley

between North 2nd and North Front Street

If you want a glimpse into the 18th century, walk the brick cobbles of this narrow street, the oldest continuously inhabited street in America, named for Jeremiah Elfreth, a blacksmith who built and rented out many homes in 18th century Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin once lived here. During the 19th century, the alley became the neighborhood of recently arrived immigrant workers from Germany, Ireland, and Europe.

National Constitution Center, Independence Mall

The Center which was set up by Congress to explain this critical document in American history via exhibits, interactive displays, and artifacts, including one of the original copies of the Constitution. You can add your name to the Constitution in Signers’ Hall, where you can see lifelike bronze statues of 42 of the Founding Fathers.

The Liberty Bell, Liberty Bell Center, 6th and Market Streets

What was once the State House Bell, ordered from Whitechapel Foundry in England, cracked on its first test ring. Two local metal workers melted it down and created a new bell that rang to call lawmakers to meetings and residents to hear the news. This remade bell also cracked in 1840, after years of hard use.

Independence Visitor Center

The Visitor Center, in the heart of Independence Mall, is the exclusive location to pick up free, timed tickets to tour Independence Hall. It provides a walkway from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell to the National Constitution Center.

Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street

During the summer of 1776, 56 men gathered in the West Wing of the Pennsylvania State House to sign a document declaring American independence from Britain. Declaration of Independence. The original inkstand used to sign the Declaration of Independence is still on display on what is now Independence Hall, where the US Constitution was signed 11 years later. Walk-up tickets are available starting at 8:30 AM but often are gone by 1 PM. You can buy timed tickets in advance for $1.50 each either online or by phone.

Statue of Commodore John Barry, Independence Square, south side of Independence Hall

After serving gallantly in the Revolutionary War, this Wexford-born Philadelphia resident was selected senior Captain of the Federal Navy by President George Washington, earning him the title “Father of the Navy of the United States,” which is engraved on this bronze statue, by Samuel Murray, erected in 1908 by the Philadelphia-based Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.